The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Rudditch come from when the family resided near a ridge. Also, some examples of the name are of nickname derivation. This makes Rudditch a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently. The local variant of the surname is derived from the Old English word hrycg, which means ridge. In Old English, thish word became rugge,regge, and rigge in various dialects of the language. The surname Rudditch is derived from the rugge variant of the word. The nickname variant is derived from the Anglo French word rugge (rouge in Modern French) which means red, and would have been the nickname of someone with brilliant red hair.

Early Origins of the Rudditch family

The surname Rudditch was first found in Shropshire at Rudge, a township, in the parish of Pattingham. "The surname is doubtless derived from a township in Shropshire so called. " [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print. The place name was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Rigge [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) and was derived from the Old English word "hrycg" which means "place at the ridge." [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) There are few other places named Rudge in Britain, specifically in the counties Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset and all are very small locals and have remained small through the centuries. An early member of the family was John de Rugge, of Seysdon, Staffordshire who was living, 17 Edward II.

Early History of the Rudditch family

Early History of the Rudditch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rudditch research.Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Rudditch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rudditch Spelling Variations

Rudditch Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Rudditch has been recorded under many different variations, including Rudge, Ruidge, Roidge, Rutdge, Rutge, Rudych, Rutch, Rutche, Ruitge and many more.

Early Notables of the Rudditch family (pre 1700)

Early Notables of the Rudditch family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Rudditch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rudditch family to the New World and Oceana

Migration of the Rudditch family to the New World and Oceana

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Rudditch or a variant listed above: Joe Rudge, who settled in Barbados in 1635; Thomas Rudge, who settled in New York in 1679; as well as George and John Rudge, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1820..

The Rudditch Motto

The Rudditch Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.